Learn Korean with News: Korean Baseball Culture - Cheerleaders, Fight Songs, and Chimaek! Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever been to a baseball game in Korea? Even if you don't know the rules of baseball, visiting a Korean baseball stadium is an absolute must-do experience! Why? Because it's not just a sports game—it's a massive, high-energy festival! Korean baseball culture is famous worldwide for its incredible passion. Every single player has their own uniqu

Learn Korean with News: The Sea Women of Jeju - Exploring Haenyeo Culture Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever heard of the real-life mermaids of Korea? In Jeju Island, there are incredible women known as '해녀' (Haenyeo), or "sea women." Without any oxygen tanks or modern breathing equipment, they dive deep into the ocean to harvest seafood, relying solely on their own breath. Haenyeo culture is incredibly unique. Most of these divers are elderly women in their 60

Learn Korean with News: Korean Wedding Culture - From 'S-Deu-Me' to Small Weddings Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever been to a Korean wedding, or seen one in a K-drama? Korean weddings are famous for being incredibly fast-paced and efficient! There is even a specific slang term, '스드메' (S-deu-me), which is short for Studio (photography), Dress, and Makeup—the holy trinity of wedding preparation in Korea. Another unique feature is the '축의금' (Congratulatory money

Learn Korean with News: Neighborhood Culture Connecting Through Second-hand Apps Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever bought or sold something used? In Korea, trading second-hand items isn't just about saving money anymore; it has become a whole new way to connect with your neighbors! If you live in Korea, you've definitely heard of '당근마켓' (Daangn Market), a neighborhood-based app that has completely transformed local communities. Nowadays, people don't just sell

Learn Korean with News: K-Fashion Slang 'Kku-an-kku' vs 'Kku-kku-kku' Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. When it comes to K-fashion and beauty, striking the right balance is everything. Have you ever looked at a K-pop idol’s airport fashion and thought, "They look so effortlessly chic, yet I know they put so much effort into it!"? In Korea, we have a specific slang for this exact vibe: '꾸안꾸' (Kku-an-kku). On the flip side, when someone is dressed to the nines—perfectly style

Learn Korean with News: Seoul's Hidden Shantytowns & Moon Villages Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever heard of 'Daldongne' (달동네), also known as Moon Villages, in Korea? Right amidst the glamorous, glittering skyscrapers of Seoul, there are hidden neighborhoods that tell a very different story of the city. Places like Guryong Village in Gangnam serve as a stark reminder of the scars left behind by Korea's rapid economic growth in the 1980s. While many of these s